TUSCALOOSA,
Alabama — The running game struggled. But the rush defense improved.

Passing
numbers were solid, so what's with the secondary?

The same questions and issues
emerge with every spring scrimmage as Alabama completed its second of three
Saturday. Those first two were conducted behind closed doors, but next week's 1
p.m. A-Day Game will be for all to see.

Senior
quarterback Blake Sims "showed a lot
of command," coach NickSaban said. He completed 24 of 39
passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns, according to stats provided by UA
media relations. Sims continues to separate himself from the quarterback
competition ahead of the arrival of Florida State transfer Jacob Coker.

Junior
receiver Amari Cooper continued his
big spring with nine catches, 97 yards and a touchdown. But, for the most part,
the roles reversed this Saturday compared to last week's first draft.

The
running game struggled as Altee Tenpenny
finished with a game-high 39 yards on 15 attempts. The top two backs on the
depth chart — T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry — weren't among the three
leading rushers for whom stats were provided.

"I
still think our team has to develop the mental toughness, the psychological
disposition to sustain better, finish things better, play harder, be a more
relentless competitor," Saban said. "I like the attitude of our team, but I
still think there are guys that need to improve in that area. If we are going
to improve as a team, in the difficult times, finishing the game, fourth
quarter, things get difficult, you get tired, that's when we have to execute
and do things well."

Sims
continued to draw strong reviews from Saban, the only member of the program to
comment after the scrimmage.

Sims'
athleticism adds another dimension to the offense as the senior improves the
more traditional aspects of the job.

"Blake
made probably three or four plays with his feet scrambling, and then making a
play throwing the ball," Saban said. "I know there were several third-down
situations today where the front guys couldn't get him on the ground, get him
tagged, and he ended up scrambling around and made a play about three or four
times. He's doing a better job in the
pocket. He's been very accurate and his consistency has been good. So we're
pleased with Blake."

Redshirt
freshman Cooper Bateman completed 16
of 31 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown while sophomore Alec Morris went 4-for-7 with 90 yards and a touchdown.

Consistency
is the issue for the quarterbacks behind Sims, Saban said.

Defensively,
Saban liked the improvement of the second team and the overall tackling. Senior
linebacker Trey DePriest led the way
with six tackles (one for loss) and a forced fumble. Junior college transfer
defensive end Jarran Reed made five
tackles and broke up a pass. No interceptions were reported for a second
straight week.